Apparatuses and methods for removing shingles

ABSTRACT

Examples include apparatuses for removing covering or coating materials from a surface, for example, shingles from a roof. The apparatus may include a foot coupled to a frame that pivots about one or more pivot points when driven by an actuator. The actuator may be a pneumatic actuator in some examples.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/878,259 filed Jul. 24, 2019, which is incorporated herein byreference, in its entirety, for any purpose.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, the most popular method for removal of shingles and thenails holding the shingles in place was with the use of a hammer orsimple tools consisting of a plate or a plate with a forked edge with ahandle. This method, though successful, can lead to fatigue on theoperator's back or other joints. Accordingly, an improved method ofremoving shingles and nails is desired.

SUMMARY

As described herein, an apparatus may include a plate having a forkedfront portion, a bent section rear of the forked front portion, and asloped portion extending from the bent section. The forked front portionmay be configured to engage a shingle and/or nails affixing the shingleto a surface. The bent section may act as a pivot point about which theplate may rotate. When a downward force is applied to the slopedportion, the plate may rotate about the bent section such that theforked front portion pivots upwards. The upward motion of the forkedfront portion may lift the shingle and/or nails from the surface. Theplate may be pivotally coupled to a first end of a frame. The frame mayhave one or more angles configured to allow the plate to pivot withoutrequiring a user to bend over. The frame may include a handle at asecond end opposite the first end to allow the user to grip theapparatus.

In some embodiments, an actuator may be coupled between the frame andthe plate. The actuator may apply the force to the sloped portion of theplate to cause the plate to pivot without requiring the user to applythe force to the plate.

In some embodiments, the plate may include a fulcrum coupled to a rearsurface of the sloped portion. The fulcrum may set a height to which theforked front portion rotates, which may be configured to be a heightsufficient to remove the nails from the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a shingle remover in a first position according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a view of the shingle remover in a second position accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shingle remover n the first positionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the shingle remover in the second positionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the shingle remover in the first positionaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view of a shingle remover according to another embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the shingle remover according to the otherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the shingle remover according to the otherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the shingle remover according to the otherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the shingle remover according to the otherembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 illustrates side views of the shingle remover in differentpositions and configurations according to the other embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain embodiments is merely exemplary innature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the disclosure orits applications or uses. In the following detailed description ofembodiments of the present apparatuses, systems and methods, referenceis made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and whichare shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which thedescribed apparatuses, systems and methods may be practiced. Theseembodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilledin the art to practice presently disclosed apparatuses, systems andmethods, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and that structural and logical changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, for thepurpose of clarity, detailed descriptions of certain features will notbe discussed when they would be apparent to those with skill in the artso as not to obscure the description of embodiments of the disclosure.The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the disclosure is defined only by theappended claims.

Apparatuses for removing coatings or coverings from surfaces aredescribed herein. For example, apparatuses disclosed herein may be usedfor removing shingles and/or nails securing the shingles to a surface,such as a roof. The apparatuses may be referred to as shingle removers.However, the apparatuses may be used for removing other objects (e.g.,tiles, linoleum) secured to other surfaces (e.g., plywood, flooring,decking) and are not limited to removing shingles.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various view of an example of a shingle removeraccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As FIGS. 1-5illustrate the same apparatus, the description herein will refer to allfigures of FIGS. 1-5. When a particular feature is more easily viewed ina particular figure, it will be noted as such in the description.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a shingle remover1 may include a frame 14 pivotally coupled to a foot 2 at a first end 3of the frame 14 and coupled to a handle 36 at a second end 5 of theframe 14 (the first end 3 and second end 5 are indicated in FIG. 2). Thefirst end 3 of the frame 14 may be distal to a user (not shown) of theshingle remover 1 and the second end 5 of the frame 14 may be proximalto the user.

The foot 2 may include a front portion 4. The front portion 4 may beconfigured to engage a shingle and/or nails securing the shingle to asurface. For example, the front portion 4 may be configured to beinserted between the surface and the shingle. In some examples, such asthe example illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the front portion 4 may be forkedand include tines 6. In some examples, the front portion may includesecondary tines 8 between the tines 6. The tines 6 and/or secondarytines 8 may be configured to engage nails and/or other means used tosecure the shingle to the surface.

The foot 2 may include a bent portion 10. The bent portion 10 may extendthe length of the foot 2 behind the front portion 4. That is, it may beproximal to the user compared to the front portion 4. In some examples,the bent portion 10 may act as a pivot point about which the foot 2 mayrotate.

The foot 2 may further include a sloped portion 12 extending from thebent portion 10 towards the user. That is, the sloped portion 12 mayhave a proximal end closer to the user and a distal end adjacent to thebent portion 10. The sloped portion 12 may be pivotally coupled at ajoint 16 to the first end 3 of the frame 14. In some examples, such asthe example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the joint 16 may be adjacent to the bentportion 10.

Applying a downward force to the sloped portion 12 (e.g., to theproximal end of the sloped portion 12) will cause the front portion 4 tomove upward as the foot 2 pivots about the bent portion 10 and joint 16.When the front portion 4 is positioned between a surface and theshingle, for example, the upward movement of the front portion 4 maylift the shingle and/or nail away from the surface thereby removing theshingle.

For example, a user may place a foot on the proximal end of the slopedportion 12 of the foot 2 and apply a downward force on the slopedportion 12 while holding the handle 36. The foot 2 may pivot about thebent portion 10 and joint 16. Thus, the sloped portion 12 may movedownward and the front portion 4 may move upward, which may lift theshingle and/or nails away from the surface.

In other examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, theproximal end of the sloped portion 12 is pivotally coupled at joint 26to an actuator 24. The actuator 24 may apply the substantially downwardforce to the sloped portion 12 rather than the user. The use of theactuator 24 may reduce user fatigue in some applications. The user mayactivate the actuator 24 by a button 32 located near the handle 36. Inthe example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the actuator 24 includes a pneumaticactuator. The pneumatic actuator may be coupled to tubes 30 which maydeliver and remove air from an air compressor (not shown) which may becoupled to the shingle remover 1 at an attachment point 34 (shown inFIG. 5). However, the actuator 24 is not limited to a pneumaticactuator. For example, the actuator 24 may include a hydraulic actuatoror a motorized actuator (e.g., gas or electric).

As mentioned, the actuator 24 may be pivotally coupled to the foot 2 atjoint 26 at a distal end of the actuator 24. In some examples, such asthe one shown in FIGS. 1-5, the actuator 24 may be coupled to a thirdportion of the frame 19 that extends at an angle from the first portion18 of the frame 14. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the third portion19 extends perpendicularly from the first portion 18. The third portion19 may maintain a distance between the joint 26 and the first portion 18of the frame 14, which may accommodate the size of the actuator 24and/or at least partially maintain a desired alignment between theactuator 24 and foot 2. The actuator 24 may further be pivotally coupledto the frame 14 at joint 28 at a proximal end of the actuator 24. Thejoints 26 and 28 allow the actuator 24 to rotate relative to the foot 2and frame 14, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the actuator24 extends to apply a force to the sloped portion 12 of the foot 2, theangle 44 between the actuator 24 and the frame 14 increases while theangle 46 between the actuator 24 and the foot 2 decreases.

In some examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the shingleremover 1 may further include a fulcrum 38 located on a lower surface ofthe sloped portion 12. That is, the fulcrum 38 may be located on asurface of the sloped portion 12 opposite a surface Where joint 16 islocated. The fulcrum 38 may be located behind the bent portion 10. Thatis, the fulcrum 38 may be located proximate to the user in comparison tothe bent portion 10. The fulcrum 38 may allow the front portion 4 to belifted above the surface on which the shingle is secured. For example,the fulcrum 38 may be sized to allow the front portion 4 to be raised toa height greater than a length of the nails securing the shingle to thesurface. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the fulcrum 38 isimplemented as two cylinders. However, the fulcrum 38 may be implementedas a single cylinder, a wedge, and/or other suitable shape. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, when the actuator 24 applies a force to the slopedportion 12 of the foot 2, the sloped portion 12 moves substantially in adirection indicated by arrow 40 and the bent portion 10 and frontportion 4 moves substantially in a direction indicated by arrow 42 aboutthe fulcrum 38. In other examples, the user may apply the downward forceon the sloped portion 12 to cause the foot 2 to pivot about the fulcrum38.

In some examples, such as the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, theframe 14 may include a first portion 18 coupled to the foot 2 and asecond portion 22 coupled to the handle 36. The first portion 18 and thesecond portion 22 may be coupled at a joint 20. The joint 20 may allowthe frame to 14 to have an angle 48 (shown in FIG. 3) less than 180degrees. The joint 20 may be fixed or the joint 20 may be hinged toallow the angle 48 to be adjusted. For example, the joint 20 may includea ratchet assembly (not shown) that may allow the angle 48 to be set atvarious values. The angle 48 may be configured to allow a user to usethe shingle remover 1 in a comfortable position, for example, standingwithout bending over. In examples where the angle 48 is adjustable, theuser may set the angle 48 as desired (e.g., to accommodate a height ofthe user). In some examples, the handle 36 may be fixedly attached tothe frame 14. In other examples, the handle 36 may be pivotally orotherwise adjustably attached to the frame 14 to allow the user toadjust the handle 36 position to a desired position. The adjustabilityof the frame 14 and/or handle 36 may increase comfort for the user insome applications.

In use, a user may place the front portion 4 of the foot 2 under ashingle. The front portion 4 may engage a nail or other element affixingthe shingle to a surface. The user may then activate the actuator 24(e.g., by pushing button 32) to apply a force to the sloped portion 12of the foot 2. The foot 2 may pivot about the bent portion 10 and/orfulcrum 38, which raises the front portion 4. The substantially upwardforce of the front portion 4 may remove the shingle and/or nails fromthe surface.

FIGS. 6-11 illustrate various views of an example of a shingle removeraccording to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As FIGS. 6-11illustrate the same apparatus, the description herein will refer to allfigures of FIGS. 6-11. When a particular feature is more easily viewedin a particular figure, it will be noted as such in the description.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a shingle remover200 may include a frame 214. The frame may include a first portion 218and a second portion 222. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the firstportion 218 and second portion 222 are rectangular tubes. However, inother embodiments, the frame 214 may include round tubes and/or solidportions. The first portion 218 and second portion 222 may be coupled ata joint 220. The joint 220 may allow the frame to 214 to have an angle248 (shown in FIG. 9) less than 180 degrees. The joint 220 may be fixedor the joint 220 may be hinged to allow the angle 248 to be adjusted.For example, the joint 220 may include a ratchet assembly (not shown)that may allow the angle 248 to be set at various values. The angle 248may be configured to allow a user to use the shingle remover 200 in acomfortable position, for example, standing without bending over.

The frame 214 may be pivotally coupled to a wedge 238 at a first end 203of the frame 214 and coupled to a handle 236 at a second end 205 of theframe 214 (the first end 203 and second end 205 are indicated in FIG.7). The handle 236 may be fixedly attached (e.g., bolted, welded) to theframe 214. In other examples, the handle 236 may be pivotally orotherwise adjustably attached to the frame 214 to allow the user toadjust the handle 236 position to a desired position. The first end 203of the frame 214 may be distal to a user (not shown) of the shingleremover 200 and the second end 205 of the frame 214 may be proximal tothe user. The wedge 238 may be fixedly coupled to a foot 202.

Similar to foot 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the foot 202 may include afront portion 204. The front portion 204 may be configured to engage ashingle and/or nails securing the shingle to a surface. For example, thefront portion 204 may be configured to be inserted between the surfaceand the shingle. In some examples, such as the example illustrated inFIGS. 6-11, the front portion 204 may be forked and include tines 206.In some examples, the front portion may include secondary tines 208between the tines 206. The tines 206 and/or secondary tines 208 may beconfigured to engage nails and/or other means used to secure the shingleto the surface. In some embodiments, a width of the front portion 204may be selected to be approximately a width of a shingle. In otherembodiments, the width of the front portion 204 may be selected to begreater than or less than a shingle.

The foot 202 may include a bent portion 210. The bent portion 210 mayextend the length of the foot 202 behind the front portion 204. That is,it may be proximal to the user compared to the front portion 204. Thefoot 202 may further include a sloped portion 212 extending from thebent portion 210 towards the user. That is, the sloped portion 212 mayhave a proximal end closer to the user and a distal end adjacent to thebent portion 210. The bent portion 210 may define an angle of less than180 degrees (measured from the upper surface of the foot 202) betweenthe front portion 204 and the sloped portion 212. The sloped portion 212may include a slot 250 extending from the proximal end toward the distalend. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-11, the slot250 may not extend all the way to the bent portion 210.

The wedge 238 may include two separate plates 252 spaced from oneanother on either side of slot 250. The plates 252 may be coupled to orinclude wing portions 254 (e.g., visible in FIG. 8) substantiallyperpendicular to the plates 252. The wing portions 254 may be used tofixedly attach the wedge 238 to a lower surface 207 of the foot 202. Thewedge 283 may be coupled to the foot 202 by any appropriate technique.In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the wedge 238 is coupled to the foot202 by bushings 256 (indicated in FIGS. 7-8). However, bolts, rivets,screws, and/or welds may also be used. The wedge 238 may include arounded portion 258 (indicated in FIGS. 9-10) which may act as (e.g.,used to implement) a fulcrum, similar to the cylinders of fulcrum 38shown in FIGS. 1-5.

The first end 203 of the frame 214 may pass through the slot 250 betweenthe two plates 252 and pivotally coupled to the wedge 238 at joint 216.In some examples, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-11, the frame 214 maybe coupled to the wedge 238 by a clevis pin, but other techniques forpivotally coupling the frame 214 to the wedge 238 may be used in otherexamples.

Applying a downward force to the sloped portion 212 (e.g., to theproximal end of the sloped portion 212) will cause the front portion 204to move upward as the foot 202 pivots about the rounded portion 258 andjoint 216. When the front portion 204 is positioned between a surfaceand the shingle, for example, the upward movement of the front portion204 may lift the shingle and/or nail away from the surface therebyremoving the shingle.

For example, a user may place a foot on the proximal end of the slopedportion 212 of the foot 202 and/or wedge 238 and apply a downward forceon the sloped portion 212 and/or wedge 238 while holding the handle 236.The foot 202 may pivot about the rounded portion 258 and joint 216.Thus, the proximal end of the sloped portion 212 may move downward andthe front portion 204 may move upward, which may lift the shingle and/ornails away from the surface.

In other examples, such as the one illustrated in FIGS. 6-11, a proximalend of the wedge 238 is pivotally coupled at joint 226 (indicated inFIGS. 9-10) to an actuator 224. As shown in the pictured embodiment, thedistal end of the actuator 224 may be pivotally coupled between the twoplates 252. In some embodiments, the actuator 224 may be coupled to theplates 252 by a clevis pin, but other techniques for pivotally couplingthe actuator 224 to the wedge 238 may be used. In some embodiments, thejoint 226 may be located at one or more positions along the wedge 238.In the example shown in FIGS. 6-10, the joint 226 is located at aposition 209, but may alternatively be located at position 211 as shownin FIG. 11. Although two positions are shown in FIGS. 6-11, in otherembodiments, the actuator 224 may be coupled at more or fewer positionsalong the wedge 238. The actuator 224 may be further coupled at a joint228 to one or more plates 219 of frame 214. The one or more plates 219may be coupled to the first portion 218 and second portion 222 of theframe 214 proximate the joint 220. In the example shown in FIGS. 6-11,the actuator 224 is coupled between two plates 219 by a clevis pin.However, other coupling techniques may be used. The one or more plates219 may maintain a distance between the joint 228 and the frame 214,which may accommodate the size and/or range of motion of the actuator224 and/or at least partially maintain a desired alignment between theactuator 224 and foot 202. The joints 226 and 228 allow the actuator 224to rotate relative to the foot 202 and frame 214, respectively.

The actuator 224 may apply a substantially downward force to the wedge238 rather than the user. The use of the actuator 224 may reduce userfatigue in some applications. The user may activate the actuator 224 bya button 232 (indicated in FIGS. 9-10) located near the handle 236. Insome examples, the actuator 224 may include a cylinder and a piston. Inthe example shown in FIGS. 6-11, the actuator 224 includes a pneumaticactuator including a cylinder and piston. However, the actuator 224 isnot limited to a pneumatic actuator. For example, the actuator 224 mayinclude a hydraulic actuator or a motorized actuator (e.g., gas orelectric). The actuator 224 may be coupled to tubes 230. When theactuator 224 is pneumatic, the tubes 230 may deliver and/or remove airfrom the cylinder to extend the piston and/or permit the piston toretract.

The tubes 230 may be further coupled to a connection box 260 (indicatedin FIGS. 8-9). The connection box 260 may be coupled to the frame 214 atthe second end 205 proximate the handle 236. In embodiments where theactuator 224 is a pneumatic actuator, the connection box 260 may receiveair from an air compressor (not shown) which may be coupled to theconnection box 260 at an attachment point 234 (indicated in FIGS. 7-8).In other embodiments, the connection box 260 may be coupled to a fluidsource and/or a power source. The connection box 260 may include thebutton 232. When depressed, the button 232 may couple one or both oftubes 230 to the air, fluid, and/or power source to actuate the actuator224.

In some embodiments, the connection box 260 may be coupled to the frame214 such that the connection box 260 is spaced apart from the frame 214by a connector 262 having a flat portion 264 coupled to the connectionbox 260, a flat portion 266 coupled to the frame 214, and an angledportion 268 coupling the two flat portions 264, 266 (indicated in FIG.9). The flat portion 264 may be coupled to the connection box by bolts,rivets, welds, and/or any other suitable coupling technique. The flatportion 266 may be coupled to the frame 214 by bolts, rivets, welds,and/or any other suitable coupling technique. In some applications,spacing the connection box 260 away from the frame 214 may permit thebutton 232 to have a larger diameter, which may make the button 232easier to depress by the user. Optionally, in some embodiments, such asthe one shown in FIGS. 6-11, the connector 262 may include a safetyplate 270 (indicated in FIGS. 8-9) coupled to the flat portion 264. Thesafety plate 270 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the flatportion 264 between the connection box 260 and the button 232. Thesafety plate 270 may include a slot 272 (visible in FIG. 8) that permitsthe button 232 to be coupled to the connection box 260. The safety plate270 may a length and a width greater than a diameter of the button 232.The safety plate 270 may help prevent unintended depressing of thebutton 232 when the shingle remover 200 is not being used (e.g., placedon the ground).

FIG. 11 illustrates side views of the shingle remover 200 in differentpositions and configurations according to the other embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In the example shown, the shingle remover 200 islocated on a roof having a 5/12 pitch. In a first position 300, theactuator 224 may be retracted and the front portion 204 of the foot 202may contact the roof surface 301 and the wedge 238 may contact and/or bepositioned slightly above (0.45 inches in the example in FIG. 11) roofsurface 301. In the example shown in FIG. 11, an angle between thesloped portion 212 and the roof surface 301 may be 45 degrees. However,in other embodiments, the angle of the sloped portion 212 may bedifferent in the first position 300.

In a second position 305, the actuator 224 may be extended and the frontportion 204 of the foot 202 is lifted above the roof surface 301 (4.92inches in the example in FIG. 11) and the wedge 238 is in contact withthe roof surface 301. When the actuator 224 extends (e.g., responsive toa user pushing button 232), transitioning the shingle remover from thefirst position 300 to the second position 305, the angle 244 between theactuator 224 and the frame 214 increases while the angle 246 between theactuator 224 and the wedge 238 decreases.

In use, a user may place the front portion 204 of the foot 202 under ashingle. The front portion 204 may engage a nail or other elementaffixing the shingle to the roof surface 301. The user may then activatethe actuator 224 (e.g., by pushing button 232) to apply a force to thewedge 238. The foot 202 may pivot about the curved portion 258, whichraises the front portion 204. The substantially upward force of thefront portion 204 may remove the shingle and/or nails from the roofsurface 301.

FIG. 11 also shows the shingle remover 200 in an alternativeconfiguration 310. In the alternative configuration 310, the joint 226is located at position 211 on the wedge 238 rather than position 209 asillustrated in positions 300 and 305. In the alternative configuration310, a distance between the handle 236 is a shorter distance from theroof surface 301 than in the position 300. In the example in FIG. 11, inposition 300, the handle 236 is 38.4 inches above the roof surface 301and in the alternative configuration 310, the handle 236 is 31.4 inchesand the distance between positions 209 and 211 is one inch. Thesedimensions are provided only for exemplary purposes and the disclosureis not limited to these particular dimensions. In some embodiments,which position 209 or 211 is chosen for joint 226 may be based, at leastin part, on a height of the user. For example, a shorter user may preferposition 211. In some embodiments, which position 209 or 211 is chosenfor joint 226 may be based, at least in part, on a pitch of the roof.For example, position 211 may be preferable for roofs with a pitchsteeper than 5/12.

In the embodiments described herein, the frame, handle, foot, fulcrum,wedge, and/or various plates of the shingle remover may be made of metalor metal alloy such as stainless steel or titanium. However, in someembodiments, one or more components may be made of carbon fiber and/orother composite materials which may or may not include metal. The tubesand/or button may be plastic, rubber, and/or other suitable materials insome embodiments.

The apparatuses described herein may allow for the removal of shinglesand/or other materials from surfaces with reduced user fatigue in someapplications. The apparatuses described herein may allow for fasterremoval of shingles and/or other materials from surfaces in someapplications.

Of course, it is to be appreciated that any one of the examples,embodiments or processes described herein may be combined with one ormore other examples, embodiments and/or processes or be separated and/orperformed amongst separate devices or device portions in accordance withthe present apparatuses, devices and methods. For example portion 19 ofshingle remover 1 may be used to couple actuator 224 to frame 214 ratherthan the one or more plates 219.

Finally, the above-discussion is intended to be merely illustrative ofthe present apparatus and should not be construed as limiting theappended claims to any particular embodiment or group of embodiments.Thus, while the present system has been described in particular detailwith reference to exemplary embodiments, it should also be appreciatedthat numerous modifications and alternative embodiments may be devisedby those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from thebroader and intended spirit and scope of the present system as set forthin the claims that follow. Accordingly, the specification and drawingsare to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended tolimit the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a frame having a firstend and a second end; a foot pivotally coupled to a first end of theframe at a joint, wherein the foot comprises: a front portion comprisinga plurality of tines; a sloped portion extending from the front portiontoward the second end of the frame; and a bent portion between the frontportion and the sloped portion, wherein the bent portion defines anangle between the front portion and the sloped portion; and a fulcrumcoupled to a lower surface of the foot, wherein the foot is configuredto rotate about the fulcrum and the joint.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising an actuator pivotally coupled to the frame and thefoot, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the foot to rotateabout the fulcrum and the joint when actuated.
 3. The apparatus of claim2, wherein the actuator is a pneumatic actuator comprising a piston anda cylinder.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: aconnection box coupled to the second end of the frame; and at least onetube coupled to the cylinder at a first end and the connection box at asecond end, wherein the connection box is configured to couple the atleast one tube to an air compressor coupled to the connection box. 5.The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a button proximate thesecond end of the frame, wherein the button is configured to actuate theactuator when depressed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprisinga safety plate proximate to the button and having a width and a heightgreater than dimensions of the button.
 7. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein the frame further comprises at least one plate located betweenthe first end and the second end, wherein the actuator is pivotallycoupled to the at least one plate such that the actuator is spaced froma rest of the frame.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising awedge coupled to the lower surface of the foot, wherein the wedge ispivotally coupled to the frame and comprises the fulcrum.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the sloped portion comprises a slotconfigured to allow the frame to pass through the foot to the wedge. 10.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the wedge comprises two plates onopposite sides of the slot, the two plates extending from the lowersurface of the foot.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the twoplates each comprise a wing portion extending along and coupled to thelower surface of the foot.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising an actuator pivotally coupled to the frame and the wedge,wherein the actuator is configured to cause the foot to rotate about thefulcrum and the joint when actuated.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the wedge comprises a first position and a second positionspaced apart from the first position, wherein the actuator is pivotallycoupled to the first position or the second position.
 14. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a first portion coupled to asecond portion at a second angle less than 180 degrees, wherein thefirst portion is located at the first end and the second portion islocated at the second end.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein thesecond angle is adjustable.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein thefirst portion and the second portion comprise square tubes.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the square tubes comprise a metal. 18.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fulcrum comprises a cylinder. 19.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to thesecond end of the frame.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frontportion further comprises a plurality of second tines located betweenindividual ones of the plurality of tines.